Biological Properties of Copper-Doped Biomaterials: A Review of Antibacterial, Angiogenic and Osteogenic Aspects

Copper is an essential trace element required for human life, and is involved in several physiological mechanisms. Today researchers have found and confirmed that Cu has biological properties which are particularly useful for biomaterials applications. Indeed, Cu exhibits antibacterial functions, provides angiogenic ability and favors osteogenesis; these represent major key points for ideal biomaterial integration and the healing process that follows. Copper-doped biomaterials thus present an interesting alternative to the massive use of prophylactic antibiotics to prevent infection complications following a surgical act for bone tissue reconstruction. This review describes the bio-functional advantages offered by Cu and focuses on the antibacterial, angiogenic and osteogenic properties of Cu-doped biomaterials used in orthopedic applications. The chemical role of doping - used in all families of biomaterials (ceramics, composites and metals) - is the main concern of this article. Other aspects, independent of doping, which may be important for optimizing biomaterial efficiency (in particular surface structuration), are also mentioned here, although they are not the focus of this review.